"They came on most of my visits. They gave their opinion and how I would transition to college," Tunde Akinlosotu said.

He made official visits to Wake Forest, George Mason and Penn and also made some unofficial visits. In the end, he decided to attend George Mason, which is also a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference.

"It was a tough decision that crossed my mind. I guess it just kind of happened," said the McDonogh graduate, on the possibility of joining one of his brothers.

Their father grew up playing soccer in Nigeria and attended Tuskegee and Clemson. Their mother, who also grew up in Nigeria, is a nurse.

"It is brings us together. It is common ground," Tunde said of soccer.

So why did Tunde Akinlosotu decide on George Mason?

"The connection to D.C. as well as the soccer team and the coaching," he said. "It is really a good place for soccer."

Akinlosotu has made some key contributions as a freshman this fall at George Mason, which played Wednesday against rival George Washington and plays Saturday at Saint Louis.

He started three of the first nine games and scored two goals.

On Sept. 21, he had the game-winning goal as the visiting Patriots beat High Point 1-0 in a non-conference game.

"It was a pretty good feeling since High Point was undefeated," Akinlosotu said. "I stepped up in a big moment."

What has been the biggest challenge?

"I guess the biggest adjustment is coming off the bench. I was not used to it before. It is having the right mindset," he said.

The head coach for George Mason is Greg Andrulis, who is in his 11th at Mason year after he was the head coach the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer.

"He brings a lot … he knows a lot about the game. We listen when is talking about Columbus Crew. It brings, like, a different level of wisdom," Akinlosotu said of Andrulis.

Mason was 2-6-1 overall after a 2-0 loss to VCU on Oct. 1 in the Atlantic 10 Conference opener.

"We have a lot of strengths. We really don't have it together yet," Akinlosotu said.

BOWIE HIGH SOCCER PRODUCTS: Several Bowie High graduates are aiding their college soccer teams.

•Bowie High grad Nicole Hill is a senior forward for Division III McDaniel in women's soccer. She had two goals and four assists in the first nine games.

•Peter Dean, a graduate of Bowie High, is a junior defender for St. Mary's College of Maryland. He has played in four of the first 11 games. "He has a fantastic attitude," said Alun Oliver, the St. Mary's head coach.

•Khalid Balogun is a freshman forward at St. Mary's. The Bowie High graduate had the game-winning goal against Salisbury in a 2-1 win in overtime on Oct. 5 as his team improved to 8-2-1. "Khalid has been absolutely fantastic," Oliver said. "He is a big, physical player who is very technical. That has been a huge impact for us. He gives 100 percent every time he goes out there. He has really been a joy to have on the team."

•Bowie High grad Ellen Anderson is a junior forward at Salisbury and Bowie High product Rachel Anderson is a junior defender at Salisbury. Rachel Anderson played in the first nine matches while Ellen Anderson played in five of the first nine matches.